La post-metrópolis parisina y el Plan Director de la Región

In general, there are three types of interviews: structured, semi-structured and unstructured. According to Johl et al., (2012), structured interviews are mostly used for survey research, telephone interviews, market research and political polling. It employs a

90

sequence of questions and the pace of the interview tends to be pre-established. Bechhofer (1994) found that structured interviews define situations in advance and do not allow the researcher to follow up further on any interesting ideas (Burgess, 1982). The strength of the structured interviews is that it allows the researcher to gain a great deal of control over the interview process. However, qualitative scholars find that “this can be a drawback because structured interviews grant too much control to the interviewee and issues that might be considered important to the interviewer may be overlooked” (Johl et al., 2012: 6373). Also, criticisms have been made on structured interviews where interviewees tend to give responses that they thought the interviewer would want to hear which is known as ‘social desirability bias’ (Esterberg, 2002).

On the other extreme end, unstructured interviews are often conducted in a field setting and the questions posed to interviewees tend to be more spontaneous and free flowing with topics arising from the situation or behavior at hand (Esterberg, 2002). The interviewer does not have a set of questions prepared in advance, instead, the questions arise more naturally (Johl et al., 2012). The main advantage of conducting unstructured interviews is that it provides greater breadth when compared with other types of interviews. However, this approach is often criticized because if not properly managed, the interviewer might not be able to get out of the interviewee what he or she is looking for.

In view of the above, this study used semi-structured interviews, also known as in-depth interviews, as the primary qualitative data collection instrument. Semi-structured interviews are considered less rigid than structured interviews. Qualitative researchers prefer to use semi-structured interviews to obtain greater insight into the lives of their research participants. The main objective of semi-structured interviews is to explore a particular topic more openly by allowing interviewees to express their own ideas in their own words (Patton, 1990; Esterberg, 2002). Patton (1990), cited in Johl et al., (2012: 6373), argued that “it is not possible to observe everything we wish to know, therefore, by interviewing people, it is possible to understand what life is like from the perspective

91

of another.” According to Esterberg (2002), this approach is particularly useful for exploring a topic in detail or in constructing a theory.

The structure of interviews employed allowed for the discussion of a broad range of issues on business cycle-credit cycle relationship and the extraction of detail from respondents’ comments (Hansen et al., 1998). A semi-structured process using a few central questions was used by the researcher to explore the nexus between business cycle and bank-credit extension. The process provided flexibility to the researcher “to probe and delve deeper to excavate meaning into issues” (Singh, 2012: 171). For consistency reasons, the researcher managed the process and ensured that each interview covered the same core issues. Open ended questions were used to ensure respondents could provide their opinions as precisely as possible. The key question asked was: Is there a long-run relationship between business cycle and bank credit extension in South Africa? Other questions asked include the following:

i. In your opinion, what are the key credit determinants?

ii. How do the different credit aggregates respond to changes in the macroeconomic environment?

iii. Explain why banks change lending policies over time,

iv. Does availability of bank loans to fund activities of businesses exacerbate the magnitude of business cycles?

v. To what extent is credit in South Africa pro-cyclical (that is, does it move in tandem with business cycles)?

For interviews to deliver desired results and be beneficial, handling of interviews need to follow certain rules and procedures. In conducting these interviews, the researcher strictly followed interview guidelines as offered by Nuemann (2006) and Perry (2001). This research synthesized and customized the guidelines which it then religiously followed. The guidelines used in these interviews include, inter-arlia, the following:

i. Identify some questions in advance: the questions must be related to the research questions and the overall research problem. Limit the number of questions to

92

between five and seven. The questions must encourage people to talk about the topic without the research suggesting at the direction that the answer should take. ii. Make sure the interviewees are representatives of the population but in some

cases you can pick ‘extremists’ but should identify them as such in notes.

iii. Find a suitable location. You will have more success in a quiet place where the interview process will not be interrupted.

iv. Get written permission. Explain the nature of the study and your plans for using the results. Ask the participant to sign a consent form. Offer to provide a copy of the research document when the research has been completed.

v. Establish and maintain rapport. Begin the interview with a small talk to break the ice. Be courteous and respectful at all times. Show genuine interest in what the person has to say. The interviewer must not disclose his own thoughts, beliefs and feelings but should use body language and neutral encouragements like “Go on” and “can you elaborate” to maintain closeness and trust.

vi. Focus on the actual rather than on the abstract or hypothetical. Ask what a person does or would do in a specific situation.

vii. Do not put words in the interviewee’s mouth. Let interviewees express their own views and thoughts. A good interviewer is a good listener.

viii. Record responses verbatim. ix. Keep your reactions to yourself.

x. Remember that that you are not necessarily getting facts

xi. When conducting a focus group discussion, take group dynamics into account. These guidelines were followed closely in the execution of field research. This was very useful and valuable advice that the researcher followed in pursuit of a quality qualitative research.

The interviews were conducted with 20 representatives from the top four (by market share and profitability) banks in South Africa. The interviews were conducted between September 2013 and February 2014. Following guidelines by Miles and Huberman, (1994: 26), the research findings were in addition confirmed and extended with

93

interviews with, two economists and a focus group brought together for respondent validation.

The interview sessions typically lasted between 45 and 60 minutes as recommended by De Vos et al., (2001). Data was collected until data saturation was attained; when it was established that there was no new information or themes were not repeated (Poggenpoel, 2000). Other than the focus group, all interviews were taped and transcribed and transcripts were sent to interviewees for confirmation. In addition to the transcripts, extensive notes were taken. To supplement the interviews, documentary sources were also used. These included the banks’ financial statements for the period 1980 to 2013, analysts’ reports on the banks and SARB Quarterly Bulletins.